BARYSHNIKOV TO BRING ABT TO ARTS CENTER in ’86

Mikhail Baryshnikov, artistic director of the American Ballet Theatre, announced Thursday that his company will be performing “The Nutcracker” at the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s new 3,000-seat theater for a one-week engagement in December, 1986.

The long-expected announcement by ABT and the Center was made at a press conference near the site of the Center--which is set to open next Sept. 29 with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Zubin Mehta.

“Orange County, here we come!” Baryshnikov said, adding that he had just taken a quick tour of the facilities, now under construction, with Center executive director Thomas Kendrick and other officials. “Needless to say, I’m absolutely delighted with this wonderful arts center.”

This production of “The Nutcracker”--first staged at the Kennedy Center in Washington in 1976 and today starting a 12-day engagement at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles--is directed and choreographed by Baryshnikov.

The production will run in Orange County next year from Dec. 9-14, with six evening performances and two “family” matinees, and will then be staged in Los Angeles for another two weeks.

Both Baryshnikov and ABT executive director Charles Dillingham on Thursday made it clear the 1986 run was a test of Orange County audience response.

Earlier this fall, Dillingham said in an interview that ABT was discussing a “split season”--”The Nutcracker” in December, 1986, and a run in spring, 1987. But Thursday he said no such additional run was being contemplated, adding that “we’ll see how this (December) visit works out” before a 1987-88 appearance is considered.

Baryshnikov said: “This (December run) is a small beginning. . . . We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.” Then he quipped: “I know, I sound like a secretary of state (speaking). But it’s true.”

Speaking again of the design of the new complex, the premier danseur, 37, said: “It’s an absolutely terrific place, filled with character, comfort and promise. . . . There’s an intimate distance (from stage to audience) about it. It’s a paradise--what I can say?”

Dillingham said the Orange County Performing Arts Center --which will be the presenter--will be “the primary group assuming the (cost) risks.” He did not disclose what the costs will be to bring the 135-member contingent, which includes 83 dancers, to the county.

Baryshnikov said he was not prepared to name the cast for the Orange County appearance. In reply to a question on whether the company was downplaying star performers, he said: “It (‘The Nutcracker’) is a company piece. . . . We are seeking to concentrate on the company, not on individual dancers.

“But,” he added, “we do have a lot of wonderful young dancers (who) are learning and performing this year for the first time this ballet: Alessandra Ferri, Bonnie Moore, Amanda McKerrow. And we are coming with all our principal dancers Leslie Browne (officially listed as a soloist with the company) and Kevin McKenzie, Robert La Fosse, Marianna Tcherkassky.

“They all dance this particular ballet,” he said.

Although Baryshnikov said he was still recovering from injuries and is not dancing at the moment, he held out the possibility of performing in “The Nutcracker” next year in Orange County. “If I’m not retired (from dancing by then), there’s a possible chance here.”

The New York-based American Ballet Theatre will also be appearing this season in San Francisco Feb. 18 to March 2, again in Los Angeles March 4-23 and in San Diego March 25-29. ABT is the first dance company signed for the Orange County Center’s opening 1986-87 season. Center officials said they also have been having talks with the New York City Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet for forthcoming seasons.